Troy Polamalu, who made three game-turning plays in victories for the Steelers this year, will be named their Most Valuable Player, teammate Hines Ward said today.

Ward said the team was told after a walk-through practice this morning that Polamalu was voted team MVP. The official announcement is scheduled for 3 p.m. today.

"Hands down he is the most valuable player this year on our team,'' Ward said. "He's valuable, period. Single-handily, he's won some games for us. It's well deserved. There were a lot deserving, but I voted for Troy."

Polamalu, who made his sixth Pro Bowl this week and fifth as a starter, delivered at least three game-turning plays this season. He intercepted a pass at the 2 late in the game that prevented Buffalo from winning on Nov. 28. He caused a fumble when he sacked quarterback Joe Flacco in Baltimore Dec. 5 that set up the winning touchdown with 2:51 left. His interception for a touchdown in the second quarter Dec. 12 erased a 7-0 Cincinnati lead and the Steelers went on to a 23-7 victory.

"He means so much to our team,"' Ward said. "He's just the X-factor, he really makes a difference. With him on the field playing, I know he gives us that opportunity, something's going to happen. When we need something the most, 99.9 percent of the time he's come up big."

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"Now that I'm here, I don't want to just be here, I want to be here for a long time." Hines Ward, 1998 4th round draft pick.